Faults:

My Honda Civic is not really factory, but I'm sure that the factory ones are very good.

The car had a racing engine, but that blew up about a year ago. It's got a brand new engine now with about 40,000 miles on it.

The only other problems would be the tires leaking air, so I have to top the air up every week.

General Comments:

Like I said, this car has been fully tricked out, low rider body-kit, automatic doors (no door handles, push a button to get in). Paint job, low profile 17 inch tires, racing suspension, brakes, and steering. I drove non-custom Honda Accords and Civics, and since then I've always wanted a Honda. Now I have a factory motor transmission in my car, and it's really cheap on gas, and reliable. Not really all that fast, takes some time to pick up speed, but handles like a race car (like I said, the suspension is really beefed up).

I got this car from my neighbor, and when he had it, somebody hit him in the rear-end, but thankfully it's only cosmetic, frame and nothing else is damaged, except the trunk is held by a bungee cord. Car drives straight, I can let go of the wheel, rest my knee, and lay back and relax when I'm going to North Carolina.

I love my car and even Honda. I would recommend a Honda, preferably early 90s Civics (coupe, not hatchback), and Accords.

Faults:

Nothing really, being a carbed motor needed a tune up at least once a year. Otherwise, was hard to start when warm (have heard this is a common problem with older Hondas).

Otherwise, this has been great car to us, compared to the Corolla we used to own; it gave us no more trouble than that. A bit classier than the Corolla, and generally happy with its economy and performance from a 1.5, and 7000rpm from a non-vtec engine - nuts!

General Comments:

Not bad. Paint quality is not great on these older Hondas, cheap and reliable, and being in NZ, these are a very popular choice, and parts are a plenty.

Faults:

Mostly normal wear & tear:

- Threw out original radio and speakers. Installed basic 4x5" speakers and CD/MP3 player; $350.

- Tires (original owner never changed them); $300 for set of 4.

- Brakes (I'm a heavy braker); $500 (front brakes, calipers, etc...) - did it 3 times in 4 years.

- Timing belt (was done originally purchased, just did it again now); $350.

- Alternator belt, water pump; $600.

- Rear fender tends to drop (I notice that a lot with this version of Civic); a couple of bolts props it back up; Cost of cheap bolts from Home Hardware.

- Radiator hose had to be replaced a couple of times this year - not sure why, but fairly cheap $100 (mostly labour).

- Air filter ~ $15 to $20 (easily done, even if you're not a mechanic).

- Headlights $10 each (basic); $40/pair (bright ones); $60/pair (super brights) - a bit hard to do it yourself, but it's doable if you don't mind getting your hands dirty.

- Rear, signal lights; $2 (all the same - bonus!).

- Radiator fluid change (should do this every 2 or so years); $100.

- Transmission fluid change; $80 (again, every 2 years).

- Catalytic converter + muffler; $280 USD (did it while on a road trip to Everest, WA).

General Comments:

All in all, my biggest combined expenses were brakes. It's a nice ride that can get you from Point A to B, even at a distance.

Mileage is not too bad for an older vehicle. I pay about $33 per week for approximately 425 Km (gas at 112.9). In summer conditions, with air con almost daily, it becomes 350 Km at best; but on road trips, mostly highway driven, it can go as high as 500 Km with air conditioning.

Like any car, there will be expenses for normal wear and tear. However, this Civic has lasted a long time, but I know it will eventually wear out (mechanic said when they die, they die). So far so good; hopefully I can squeeze out 1 or 2 more years out of it. As it starts to wear out, it does burn quite a bit of oil.

If you're a mechanic, it's great, since it's not all computerized, and parts are fairly cheap to obtain, and easily available.

It's fun to drive and cheap to operate. It's not flashy or anything, but it works. The 1993 to 1995 are the last of the Honda Civics that are made in Japan. Solid vehicle.